Trevian Youth Football & Cheerleading Joins Pop Warner, Nation’s Premier Youth Football Organization

 

Off Season Includes Conditioning and a 7-on-7 Championship!

 

 

Winnetka, IL—May 29, 2011— Northshore Trevian Youth Football has aligned its program with Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1929. The Trevians made the move, in part, because PWLS emphasizes the importance of academics just as much as it does safety and championship-caliber athletics.

 

“There has been a shift toward joining Pop Warner throughout the Chicago area,” said Trevian Youth Football President Mark Rice. “Focus on academics was certainly an appealing reason for us to join the organization, but we also felt the Pop Warner program offered far more tradition, experience and structure that better aligns with our organization’s core values.”

 

It became clear that Pop Warner was a better match for the student-athletes who participate in the Trevian program. Both Maine South HS and Evanston HS Feeder Programs, who are two of the top programs in the state, also joined Pop Warner with the Trevians.

“Pop Warner’s philosophy has been that athletics and scholastics go hand in hand,” Rice said. “Pop Warner seeks to develop well-rounded young men who learn not only the fundamentals of football, but the importance of education in an atmosphere conducive to developing sound character while having fun.

“These heightened commitments proved to be a strong fit for the Trevian program, which also focuses on teaching its athletes about the importance of safety, community and character, as well as how to build confidence and have fun in a truly competitive environment.”

Chicagoland Pop Warner is the largest and most competitive youth football league in Illinois and part of PWLS which is also the most competitive nationally. Hundreds of thousands of athletes participate in Pop Warner athletics around the country. PWLS is a Partner of the NFL, provides support services, academic scholarships, grants and local/regional/national tournaments. The organization enables every child a place to play with age/weight protected divisions which help make the for most comprehensive competitive youth football athletics. 

Off Season Notes:

Trevian athletes have participated in many off season strength- and speed-training drills taking place in Winnetka and Glencoe. Training sessions included running, jumping and agility exercises. Players met weekly for eight weeks to participate in the drills.

 

Trevian Coaches Director and 14 year NFL veteran Fred Miller said the added practice not only helps keep athletes in physical shape and improve their technique, but also conditions them to maintain involvement with athletics during a busy school season.

 

“We want our athletes to stay active not just physically, but mentally during the off season,” Coach Miller said. “Attending workouts during the week days helps teach our athletes how to prioritize their time so they learn how to maintain academic obligations while also excelling at athletics.

 

7-on-7 Tournament Champions:

Members of the Northshore Trevian 8^th grade 7 –on- 7 football team won their Chicagoland Championships May 16, 17 and 23. Eight teams from the Chicago area competed and the Trevians came out on top as the tournament’s champions.

 

In addition to the Trevians, teams included the Chicago Eagles, Palatine PHS, Chicago Vikings, St. Viator (Arlington Heights), St. Peter and Paul (Naperville), Hersey (Arlington Heights) and Burlington.

 

The Trevians advanced through Championship Tournament by beating St. Peter & Paul in the first round, Burlington Panthers in the second round and Chicago Eagles in the Championship match. Players on the team were from Winnetka, Wilmette and Glencoe and were coached by Trevian Coaches Bond and Manchester. “It’s great to see our athletes look for opportunities to compete outside the core programs we offer through the Northshore Trevian program,” NFL veteran and head coach Fred Miller said. “Of course, winning is not everything, it’s not even something we emphasize all the time, but it sure is fun when it happens.”

 

New Trier Head Football Coach Dan Starkey said “Congratulations to the 8^th grade Trevians on their 7-on-7 championship. Go Trevians”

 

For more information or to register for TYF go to www.trevianfootball.com or call 847 637 0397

  

About Trevian Football & Cheerleading:

Trevian Youth Football & Cheerleading is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization based in Glencoe, IL and serving the greater North Shore area since 2005. Its mission is to provide children in grades 1-8 with an opportunity to enjoy a high-level football and cheerleading experience. The organization does this by focusing on five core values every day: character, sfety, community, self-esteem and fun. Click Here to view the Trevian Core Value presentation on Youtube.com or visit www.trevianfootball.com.

 

Trevian Youth Football & Cheerleading Outlines

Core Values for Athletes, Coaches and Parents

 

‘Live Like a Trevian…Every Day’ Motto to Define Organization

 

 

GLENCOE, IL—Nov. 13, 2010—Trevian Youth Football and Cheerleading has formalized a series of core values the organization has been practicing since it was founded in 2005. These values define the standard of excellence it expects from coaches, parents, athletes and other officials affiliated with the program, which include: character, safety, community, self-esteem and fun.

 

“Our mission is to encourage as many kids as possible to have a positive experience with football and cheerleading,” said Mark Rice, president and founder of Trevian Youth Football and Cheerleading. “As an increasing number of new athletes, coaches and parents join the Trevian program, clearly articulating what it stands for and how individuals benefit becomes increasingly more important.”

 

The organization created its “Live Like a Trevian…Every Day” motto to remind constituents about its core values, defined as follows:    

 

·         Character—treat others with respect by listening and being responsive; set high standards for success and show heart by dedicating a best effort to achieve goals; demonstrate discipline by showing up on time and following rules.

 

·         Safety—recruit experienced coaches to teach proper techniques and develop smart players; secure a large talent pool of athletes at all levels, ensure that athletes take breaks during games and practices; create a safe environment for athletes to develop skills by complying with age and weight classes certified by the American Youth Football Association;

 

·         Community—understand what it means to be a part of something bigger, take pride in other daily priorities such as family, friends and academics; teach life lessons fairly, demonstrate how an individual’s actions affect others around them; show kids how they should respond to challenges in a way that brings a positive result.  

 

·         Self-Esteem—ensure that all athletes participate during games and practice, coach first through positive reinforcement, provide five words of praise for every improvement critique; encourage athletes to feel special while they develop physical and intellectual skills, as well as the courage to use them responsibly every day.

 

·         Fun—monitor practices and games closely, ensure that football and cheerleading remain enjoyable activities for all athletes; provide opportunities to experience championship-quality competition under fair circumstances, ensure all athletes experience success; encourage the natural development of team camaraderie and long-term friendships.                                                                                                                    

 

 

Fred Miller, NFL and Chicago Bear veteran and Trevian director of coaches, attributes the successful fulfillment of the organization’s core values to its growing number of seasoned coaches, dedicated parents and enthusiastic athletes.

 

Click here or above to view the Trevian Core Value video on Youtube.com.

Click here or above to view the Trevian Core Value video on Youtube.com.

“We make it clear from the first day of training camp that all individuals are part of something much bigger,” Miller said. “There is more to our program than putting on a uniforms and experiencing championship-caliber athletics.”

 

More than 220 athletes bond and grow together in the Trevian program. Younger and older football players join one another in stretching activities at the beginning of practices before breaking into their respective squads. Cheerleaders practice together, alongside the same field the boys practice football. Trevian Vice President Jeff Lowell said what happens during the course of an entire season is what makes the Trevian organization special.

 

“Competition is a fun thing, but only when athletes have a fair chance at achieving success,” Lowell said. “It is great to see athletes improve in a truly competitive environment that teaches life lessons, and does so with positive guidance that encourages kids to stick with it and overcome challenges, develop skills and even lifelong friendships along the way.”

 

Safety is the program’s number one priority, Rice said, even more so than winning games. Weight and age classes ensure kids compete against like-sized opponents. Athletes are taught how to properly tackle opposing players, what type of equipment to wear and maintain hydration levels. Giving players rest breaks during practice and games is also beneficial.

 

“Most injuries in youth sports happen when athletes do not execute the basics due to fatigue,” Rice said. “The large numbers of kids who play on our teams help us rotate athletes and keep them fresh during practices and games.”

 

The program’s all-inclusive approach to games and practices make the experience fun for all athletes. Football players are in each game for a minimum of eight plays from scrimmage. Cheerleading squads perform during games as well. All athletes receive high-quality uniforms and are encouraged to participate in off-the-field activities such as fantasy football leagues, pizza parties and trips to New Trier High School home football games.  

 

“Ours is not the only approach to a positive, fun and competitive youth football and cheerleading experience,” Rice said. “But we do feel that the Trevian program offers certain dynamics and specific values that both casual and serious football families will find very appealing.”

 

# # #

 

About Trevian Football & Cheerleading:

Trevian Youth Football & Cheerleading is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization serving the greater North Shore area since 1995. Its mission is to provide children in grades 1-8 with an opportunity to enjoy a high-level football and cheerleading experience. The organization does this by focusing on five core values every day: character, sfety, community, self-esteem and fun. Click Here to view the Trevian Core Value presentation on Youtube.com or visit www.trevianfootball.com.

Trevian Youth Football aims for national championship

For the first time in the history of the organization, the Trevian Youth Football Junior Pee Wees will play in the Chicagoland American Youth Football Super Bowl this weekend. The team beat Homewood last weekend in the semi-finals.

Winning the AYF South Division, the team will play against Leyden at noon on Nov. 21 at Addison Trail High School at 12:00 for the Midwest AYF Championship.

Mark Rice of Trevian Youth Football said the Junior Pee Wees are mostly 5th and 6th graders and are head coached by Fred Miller.

The team, which reports about half its players coming from Glencoe and Winnetka, has a record of 13-1 this season, improved from 1-9 last season.

The team has had lots of extra work, including spring training and extra scrimmages, Rice said.

If the Trevians beat Leyden on Saturday, they will travel to Orlando as the Midwest Champions to play at AYF Nationals for the National Title. The team is additionally travelling to Las Vegas over Thanksgiving and will play two "bowl games" against teams from Arizona and California for the National Youth Football Championships.

-- Liza Roche

Trevian Football celebrates '08 season

The official football season is closing for Glencoe Trevian Football, but players, coaches and parents are already looking forward to building an already strong program. Last week, players, coaches and their families gathered at Vernon's on Vernon in Glencoe to celebrate a year's worth of successes.
» Click to enlarge image
Football mom Jill Yavitt arranges trophies for the players at the Glencoe Trevian youth football banquet at Vernon's on Vernon Thursday night.
(Allen Kaleta/for Pioneer Press)
» Click to enlarge image
Chicago Bear lineman Fred Miller chats with assistant coach Greg Horvitz.
(Allen Kaleta/for Pioneer Press)
» Click to enlarge image
Players watch a video reviewing their season at the Glencoe Trevian youth football banquet at Vernon's on Vernon Thursday night.
(Allen Kaleta/for Pioneer Press)
» Click to enlarge image
Chicago Bear lineman Fred Miller towers over the youth players at the Glencoe Trevian youth football banquet at Vernon's on Vernon Thursday night.
(Allen Kaleta/for Pioneer Press)
» Click to enlarge image
Drew Bartholow, 10, shows a photo of himself with Chicago Bears player Fred Miller to Fred Miller at the Glencoe Trevian youth football banquet.
(Allen Kaleta/for Pioneer Press)

After four years of the offering in the village, Glencoe Trevian Football, part of the American Youth Football League, now boasts 240 players on seven teams. That makes it the largest and most comprehensive travel football program on the North Shore.

Jill Yavitt, a parent of two boys and a volunteer coach, said there was a lot to celebrate at last week's banquets, actually held over three nights to accommodate the growing program. "Winning is great," she said. "But it's not only that." Friendships get strengthened, confidence grows and kids learn how to work through tough situations, she said.

And some teams and players affiliated with GTF have enjoyed big-time successes on field. Players Steven Sanz of Northfield and Danny Elfman of Winnetka, both seventh graders, will play on the league's Midwest All-Star team in Florida next month. Also traveling to Florida will be players on Glencoe's Mighty Mites team, largely consisting of third- and fourth graders, who will compete for the AYF national title.

Closer to home, the locally undefeated Mighty Mite players will face off against Naperville on Sunday 2:30 p.m. at Loyola Academy's stadium in a sort of Chicago championship game. "This is the big national youth tournament that exists in the U.S., so this is a big accomplishment," said GTF President Mark Rice.

Participation in an AYF-affiliated team requires a lot of effort, he said, adding that local programs must by chosen to be part of the AYF program, a youth partner of the National Football League (NFL). Adult leaders go through training on positive coaching techniques, and academic success is rewarded heavily. To ensure safety, players are put onto teams according to weight and not necessarily by age.

On Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m., Rice will be honored for the success of the program during the Community Thanksgiving Service at Am Shalom. He has recently gained many distinctions, including being named the midwest director for the U.S. . Army All-Star Bowl. "This football stuff really makes a positive impact on young people's lives," he said. " It's not win or lose... it's the life lessons."

Trevian Football begins season with homecoming games

Kimberly Reishus/Triblocal.com staff reporter 08/25/09

On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Trevian Football Association teams played their homecoming games against Chicago Heights Football.

The games were held throughout the day at Glencoe's Central Junior High School. Football players in Trevian Football come from all over New Trier Township.

The homecoming festivities are also a fundraiser for the Trevian Football Association and the Chicago Heights football teams, said Trevian Football President Mark Rice. Money raised through a silent auction and raffle tickets goes to pay for both football programs.

The Homecoming Scores were:

Trevian Mighty Mites 7 vs. Park Ridge Falcons 13
Trevian Bandits 12 vs. Chicago Heights Panthers 6
Trevian Cadet 28 vs. Chicago Heights Panthers 0
Trevian Pee Wee 26 vs. Chicago Heights Panthers 6
Trevian All American 0 vs. Chicago Heights Panthers 25
Trevian Junior Pee Wee 6 vs. Wildwood Seminoles 19
Trevian Junior Midgets 6 vs. Welles Park Cowboys 18

For more information about Trevian Football, visit www.trevianfootball.com.

—Photos by Kimberly Reishus, Triblocal.com reporter

(Click on a photo to see a larger view)

A Trevian All American player runs the football on Aug. 23 against the Chicago Heights Panthers.	The Trevian All American team plays the Chicago Heights Panthers.	The Trevian All American team, coached by Chip Kenyon, huddles up while the crowd watches.
Bears football player Fred Miller, left, coaches some of the younger Trevian Football players before their game against Chicago Heights.	New Trier High School football players Nathan Rice, left, a sophomore quarterback, and Benji Cohen, a varsity quarterback, help coach and volunteer on the sidelines during the game.	A Chicago Heights player runs the ball during a game against the Trevian All American team.

 

Glencoe opts out of park district football programs
J.T. MORAND Staff Writer  
Published: August 9, 2007
Glencoe youth football is back together and living as one happy family under one roof now.
Teams of third - through eighth-grade boys, plus a brand new cheerleading program for girls, are being run by the Glencoe Football Association, which was formed last year after its founders caused a split in the park district program. The Glencoe Park District now has only a limited role in youth football, providing the fields for games and practices, and performing some administrative functions.
A year ago, the park district had to cancel its seventh-and eighth-grade team because only a handful of kids signed up, while more than 30 kids went to play for a private team called the Trevians. The Trevian team was organized by a small group of parents who were unhappy with the park district program and the youth football league it was part of. Those parents would later become the Glencoe Football Association. However, the park district still ran a fifth- and sixth-grade team last year.
Mark Rice, one of the parents who formed the Titans last year and is now chairman of the Glencoe Football Association, said the Central Suburban Youth Football League system wasn't fair for Glencoe kids for several reasons including weight regulations. He said kids from Glencoe, which is a smaller community compared to most in the Central Suburban Youth Football League, fields smaller players which had to play in divisions where there are no weight restrictions. "We were severely underweight compared to our opponents," Rice said. Plus, there were limited opportunities for parents to serve as coaches, he said, because park district staff handled coaching.
Last December, the park district and the parent group met to discuss bringing youth football into one cohesive organization, which would be the Glencoe Football Association. The new organization also became an affiliate of the park district just as the Glencoe Baseball Association and American Youth Soccer Organization are. That's just fine with the park district. "It was a community driven discussion," said Rodney Aiken, executive director of the Glencoe Park District. "The park district is interested in longevity, continuity and accountability."
The Glencoe Football Association is governed by a board and each team has four or five parent or volunteer coaches. Kids now play in the Chicagoland American Youth Football League, which, Rice said, has over 100 teams and mandates each player be weighed and their birth certificates checked before each game and mandatory play rules which makes for safer weight and age playing levels.
Rice said teams that finish in the top half of their division go on to participate in playoffs and a chance to compete for the title of national American Youth Football League champions in Florida. On the Trevians schedule are teams from Wildwood, Melrose Park, Welles Park, Dundee, Rolling Meadows, Villa Park, Portage Park, Addison, Chicago Heights, Kenilworth, Plainfield, Elmwood Park, Westmont, Berwyn, and Naperville. To see times and locations, visit the Trevian football Web site, www.trevianfootball.com  
The Glencoe Football Association will hold many events, such as an NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition Aug. 20 at Central School and a Friendship Weekend with the Chicago Heights teams, Sept. 15-16, when the Titans will conduct a raffle, hold a fundraising dinner for both teams and invite the opposing team members to sleep over at host homes.
The Glencoe Football Association is also a partner with the Positive Coaching Alliance, a national organization promoting the enjoyment of sports over winning at all costs.
Cheerleading - Plus, the Trevians have their own cheerleading squads for elementary school and middle school girls, run by Katherine Weber and Stacey Michelon, who have sons in the Trevian football program. So far, there are 20 girls ranging in grade levels from first-grade through fourth-grade, who will form two cheer squads and cheer at some away games and all the home games, Weber said. She's encouraging older girls to come out, too. But, any girl who is interested should sign up soon because the Trevian cheerleaders have to order uniforms. "This is our first year getting it up and running," Weber said. "In order for our operation to succeed, we want to get some older girls." She said members of Stevenson High School's cheerleading squads will help instruct the girls. "From here now we'll be teaching them cheers and coordinated movements," she said.
Rice said no other North Shore communities have cheerleaders for their football teams. "That's another thing that makes us different," he said.